It turns out that to be called by God is not that complicated. At least not if it is looked at from a Biblical perspective. In the Bible, the English word call (or called, or calling) is mostly translated from the Greek verb kaleo, or some version of it with a prefix that sharpens its meaning. Even […]
Archive | Religious Vocabulary Word of the Day
Is the Word Chapel in the Bible
The word chapel can be found in one place in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. It is a rather obscure verse in Amos, chapter 7, verse 13. It says, “But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court.” I could not find it in any of […]
What do Stumbling Block and Offense Mean in the Bible
It would be hard to find words that have been used more than stumbling block and offense to try to put unnecessary guilt on Christians. Part of the problem is that the words offense and offend mean different things in the Bible than they do in most common usage today. Another issue is that the […]
What Does the Word Flesh or Carnal Mean in the Bible
The words fleshly and carnal in the Bible are both translated from the same Greek words, sarkikos and sarkinos. These Greek words basically mean “controlled by the sensual appetites.” What is lost in the translation is that sarkikos is a much stronger word, indicating that the corrupt nature has been given over to, whereas with […]
What Does the Word Communion Mean in the Bible
The Bible does not talk about “taking” communion. When it uses the word communion, it means, “to share, to participate, to recognize fellowship that is enjoyed.” (See Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). In other words, those people with “things in common” are by default bound together by their shared status or experience. Communion […]
What is the Definition of a Cult
The problem with defining a cult is that the modern English usage of the word has been both narrowed and widened in meaning at the same time. By narrowed, I mean it is saved to be applied to groups seen as dangerously and weirdly deviant from the supposed norm. But it is widened, because with the […]
What Does the Word Ordain Mean in the Bible
The word ordain in the Bible is closely related to the word appoint. In fact, out of the six Greek words listed in Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words (Vine’s) which are sometimes translated as ordain or ordained, five of those are simply linked back to the explanations for various (and some of the same) Greek […]
What Does the Word Worship Mean in the Bible
Has anyone ever accused you of worshipping your television or your car? Have there been implied judgements because you are not thought to worship at all? Or maybe you have felt guilty because you questioned if you were performing worship fervently enough? Possibly, I can put your mind at ease and help you to deal […]
What Does the Word Clergy Have to do with Inheritance in the Bible
The English word clergy is not found anywhere in the English Bible. In Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th, Edition (WNWCD4), the definition is given as “persons ordained for religious service.” (To read more about the meaning of the word service, click here.) The word ordained will be saved to study another time, so for now, […]
What Does the Word Demon Mean in the Bible
The word demon comes from the Greek word daimon, according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words (Vine’s). Webster’s New World College Dictionary (Fourth Edition) says the Latin version of the word is daemon, which is still considered a variant for English spelling, so you can see the word hasn’t changed much in spelling. When I […]